FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Fort Wayne City Council President Geoff Paddock joined the family of Phil Steigerwald on Thursday to honor the man who served as the city’s beloved Santa Claus for 40 years.

At The History Center, where an exhibit on Steigerwald is on display, it was proclaimed that December 4, 2025, would be Santa in Wonderland Day in Fort Wayne, recognizing his decades of bringing joy to local families.

For 40 years, Steigerwald’s mission was to fill children’s hearts with joy in the area. Many families in Fort Wayne and surrounding counties made yearly trips to Wolf and Dessauer to visit “the” Fort Wayne Santa Claus.

Steigerwald took many photos at the department store and had a holiday special called “Santa in Wonderland” on television. His red velvet suit now hangs in Fo

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